Daniel D. Barnhizer

Professor Barnhizer teaches and writes in the areas of contract law & theory, conservation law, comparative law, and the jurisprudence associated with the rule of law. Currently the Bradford Stone Faculty Scholar at Michigan State University College of Law, and a coauthor of casebooks in the fields of Contracts and Commercial Transactions, Professor Barnhizer also directs the Conservation Law Program and the Journals Program at the Law College, as well as the MSU College of Law Institute for Comparative Law & Jurisprudence at the University of BiaÅ‚ystok Faculty of Law in Poland. Prior to coming to Michigan State in 2001, Professor Barnhizer worked for the law firms of Hogan & Hartson and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in Washington, D.C., and as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Richard L. Nygaard, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, and for the Honorable Robert B. Krupansky, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, sitting by designation on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

American Legal History Seminar(Formerly DCL 552)
This seminar will analyze the tension between the rights of the individual and the role of government in society as the central theme in the development of the American legal system. Rather than a strict chronological review, the course will consist of a series of studies of the development of legal and political institutions and their effect on the citizenry. Classes will be discussion-based and will rely on extensive reading of original sources. Students should gain an understanding of how the evolution of legal rules reflects institutional change, and should learn to see law as a dynamic process rather than a collection of static concepts.
Fulfills ULWR

Business EnterprisesThis course deals with issues relating to common forms of business organization, including corporations, limited liability companies and closely held corporations. The four credit version of Business Enterprises also includes an introduction to mergers and acquisitions.

Contracts I(Formerly DCL 101) (This course is being replaced by Contracts LAW 530B beginning fall 2011) A study of the basic law relating to the formation of a contract. With respect to the creation of a contract, capacity, mutual assent, consideration and compliance with formalities are discussed. Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code is integrated with common law contract principles throughout the course.

Contracts II(Formerly DCL 102) (This course is being replaced by Contracts LAW 530B beginning fall 2011)Continues the survey of many basic contract issues, including the avoidability of contracts; the Statute of Frauds requirement; the process of determining the total contract obligation of the parties; the determination of proper performance of contracts, contract breaches and related doctrines; and the available legal redress for contract breaches.